Can We Use Divorce Mediation If One Spouse Struggles With Substance Abuse?

A: Unfortunately, substance abuse is a factor in many Washington State divorce cases. When one or both spouses in a WA divorce suffer from a drug addiction or alcohol addiction, divorce mediation is usually not a viable option. In order for divorce mediation to work properly, both parties must be negotiate with each other clearly, fairly, and amicably – and this is often not possible when one or both parties suffers from a substance abuse issue. Instead of mediation, many divorce experts suggest a court divorce and counseling for both individuals as well as any children involved.